The FBI and Department of Homeland Security have issued a chilling warning about potential threats to large Fourth of July celebrations.
According to a bulletin issued by the security agencies, lone offenders and small groups pose the biggest threat , as they may be drawn to large holiday gatherings, seeing them as "attractive targets." Security correspondent Aaron Katersky told ABC News that the current political climate in the country only worsens the situation.
He warned that law enforcement agencies are being advised by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to be vigilant against these types of threats, which are notoriously hard to prevent. "The political environment of the country certainly doesn't help," Katersky, said.
READ MORE: Fourth of July 2024: Here’s what’s open and closed
READ MORE: Map shows 21 states to hit triple-digit temperatures over July 4 amid 'deadly' heatwave warning
"The police are being told by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security to be on watch for these types of things that are notoriously difficult to guard against." Katersky also mentioned that major cities like New York and San Francisco could be potential targets, reports the Express US .
While he urged citizens to be cautious, he also emphasized that there's no need for panic. He added that anyone attending large celebrations should be prepared to "Keep your head on a swivel and if you see something untoward mention it".
Data from the Gun Violence Archive shows that mass shootings on the Fourth of July have been on the rise over the past three years. Mark Bryant, the executive director of the nonprofit that tracks US shootings, revealed that there have been 80 mass shootings during the first week of July over the past three years.
The organization defines a "mass shooting" as an incident where four or more people are killed or injured, excluding the shooter. In 2023, there were 28 mass shootings during the week of July 4th, compared to 27 in 2022 and 25 in 2021.
According to Bryant, a variety of factors contribute to the increase in shootings during the summer holiday. Studies have shown that warmer weather tends to bring an uptick in violent crime.
Research conducted in 2016 and published in the American Journal of Public Health analyzed data from 2012-2015 and discovered an increase in mass shootings during the summer months, concluding a "seasonal influence." A special report released by the Bureau of Justice Statistics in 2014 studied seasonal patterns in criminal activities and found that high heat days elicited an 18 percent surge in violence among inmates.
Higher temperatures tend to increase body temperature, consequently raising heart rate and blood pressure. This spike in blood pressure and heart rate can potentially instigate discomfort, which could explain the causal relationship between sweltering heat and heightened aggression and violence.
Moreover, the summer season encourages more outdoor activity. The Gifford's Law Center suggests this increased exposure can drive up crime rate, especially among the young population, given that schools are on break during these months. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiologic Research reveals approximately twenty additional gun homicides involving teenagers and children each summer month.
Most Popular
Comments / 0